1925 Sunbeam 500cc Model 11 Sprint

Registration no. FC 9062 Frame no. OS 273 Engine no. 229/350

• One of only 18 Sprints known to exist worldwide
• One of only two 1925 Model 11 Sprint's recorded
• Meticulously restored
• One of the rarest and most desirable Vintage Sunbeam's

John Marston, a successful maker of domestic wares in Paul Street, Wolverhampton, ventured into bicycle-making in 1887. Sold as 'The Sunbeam', his machines soon became famous for their beautiful, black-japanned and gold-leaf finish and were always expensive, their arrival coinciding perfectly with the boom in 'society' cycling in the 1890s. Marston prospered and the company's first car was made in 1899, although motorcycles were not made until 1912.

For such a traditional firm, the entry into competition with new product was startlingly swift. The 1914 2¾hp and the 3½hp models proved successful in long-distance trials and road-racing from the start, the '3½' obtaining a solid 2nd place, ridden by H R Davies, in the 1914 Senior TT. At this time, a young and talented engineer and rider, George Dance, joined the company.

Following the Great War and the death of John Marston in 1918, 'The Sunbeam' continued competing with enormous success. Two of Sunbeam's specialities were sprints and hill-climbs for which Dance, now acknowledged as chief tuner, developed a series of astonishingly fast OHV 'Dance Specials', which he and fellow development rider Charles Waterhouse used to dominate the field. The taciturn Dance was considered almost unbeatable in the 350 and 500 classes. Often winning every class in an event, he was immensely successful at Style, Kop, Pendine and Brooklands. Though less prominent in writeups now, Waterhouse also made an important contribution to Sunbeam motorcycling in the post-Great War and early 1920s era. Racing in the TT and speed trials, he took 1st-in-class awards at the Western Centre A-CU Hereford Speed Trials on 4th April 1925. This was the last event held on public roads of that era, following the incident the previous Saturday at Kop Hill which led the RAC and A-CU to cancel speed events on open highways.

Though no authentic Dance machine is known to exist, his tuning genius resulted in the briefly catalogued 'Sprint' models, representing a synthesis of everything he had developed in a limited-edition sprinter. Two models were listed: the 350cc Model 10 and 500cc Model 11. Discontinued by 1926, when the public-road events for which it was designed were outlawed, the 'Sprint' was made in tiny numbers and authentic survivors are very rare; the Marston Sunbeam Club records only 18 Sprints of both types known to exist worldwide.

'FC 9062' is a 500cc Model 11 Sprint, and one of only two 1925 machines recorded. It was registered to The Layton Garages in Oxford as a 'Sunbeam 3½hp 250 lbs' on 17th July 1925, and while no period racing is currently traced to this machine, it has been said that Layton were known for supplying Oxford undergraduates with competition mounts, which may hint at the original purchaser. The bike has been known to the Marston Sunbeam Club for many years, being owned prior to 1981 by George Robinson of Darlington, then John Browne of Oxford, with one further owner before passing to the current owner at Bonhams' Stafford Sale in October 2012.

While complete and original, when the bike was re-commissioned it became clear that many years of use were reflected in the engine, transmission and running gear. This overhaul evolved into a meticulous, full restoration covering all aspects. Works carried out included rebuilding the gearbox with new gears cut; engine fully rebuilt; wheels rebuilt; new tyres; brakes overhauled; carburettor overhauled; original cork clutch replaced with a stronger Triumph unit; straight-through exhaust fitted; seat recovered; full frame and tinware repaint; and all brightwork re-nickled. The result is the splendid machine presented here today.

During restoration, the decision was made to preserve the original engine cases and use a replacement set cast from the originals. The original cases are fundamentally sound and offered with the machine should the new owner wish to re-employ them.

During its club life, 'FC 9062' has attended many club rallies as well as being ridden at Banbury, Goodwood, Silverstone, the Isle of Man and Brooklands events. The bike comes with a V5C; a quantity of spare parts (including those items that were replaced during the restoration); some period photographs from the 1960s and '70s; and a history file. The 'Sprint' has always been one of the rarest and desirable of Sunbeam's Vintage models and opportunities to own such machines are few. The bike is fully overhauled and ready to be enjoyed, either to race or simply admire.
Offered without key